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House Select Committee on Sex Offender Registration and Internet Crimes Against Children, report to the 2007 General Assembly of North Carolina

Representative Bruce Goforth presided. He called the meeting to order at 10: 07 A. M.
thanking everyone for being there including Sergeants- At- Arms James Worth, Toussaint
Avent, and Martha Gadison; as well as staff members Brenda Carter and Emily Johnson.
Representative Goforth introduced the first speaker, Dr. Mark Everson, Director,
Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment, UNC— Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry.
Attached find handout hereto as Exhibit III, entitled Online Victimization: A Report on
the Nation’s Youth ( Date: 2000). Dr. Everson addressed the committee about the
psychological impact on child sex abuse victims.
Chair recognized Representative Jones, who asked Dr. Everson if NC needed to include a
class in the school’s curriculum to cover child sexual abuse education. Dr. Everson said
education was very important. Representative Jones questioned Dr. Everson about the
possible harm testifying in court has on a sexually abused child. Dr. Everson said there
are studies showing testifying harms some victims. Other studies has indicated testifying
is not harmful. However, he said most clinicians make every effort to keep victims from
testifying in court because of not knowing the victim’s reaction prior to their testimony.
Representative Jones asked how the court system can prosecute an offender without the
testimony of the child. Dr. Everson said in a lot of the cases, the child does have to
testify. Rules are in place to protect the child when being cross examined. It’s important
for the DA to have a sound case when going to trail. Also, the case may be plea
bargained.
Representative Goforth said the committee members are concerned about plea
bargaining. In most cases involving plea bargaining, the perpetrator does not receive any
jail time. Dr. Everson said it is important for the perpetrator to receive a stronger
sentence. However, the abuser needs to have treatment making him/ her accountable for
their crime, which helps in reducing recidivism.
Chair recognized Representative Ray. She said that plea bargaining may not always be
negative, as it may help the victim more by preventing them from testifying in court. Dr.
Everson agreed. He said the number one factor should always be to protect the abused
child.
Representative Jones asked who should determine if the child testifies in court, the
parents or the district attorney. Dr. Everson stated he is not sure of the legal answer;
however, he feels the parents should always have input whenever their child is
concerned.
Representative Howard said the committee needs to recommend to the Department of
Education that information about preventing child sexual abuse and internet crimes
against children should be to given to students. Representative Goforth stated this
information also needs to given to the parents and requested staff to include in the final
report.
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Representative Bruce Goforth presided. He called the meeting to order at 10: 07 A. M.
thanking everyone for being there including Sergeants- At- Arms James Worth, Toussaint
Avent, and Martha Gadison; as well as staff members Brenda Carter and Emily Johnson.
Representative Goforth introduced the first speaker, Dr. Mark Everson, Director,
Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment, UNC— Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry.
Attached find handout hereto as Exhibit III, entitled Online Victimization: A Report on
the Nation’s Youth ( Date: 2000). Dr. Everson addressed the committee about the
psychological impact on child sex abuse victims.
Chair recognized Representative Jones, who asked Dr. Everson if NC needed to include a
class in the school’s curriculum to cover child sexual abuse education. Dr. Everson said
education was very important. Representative Jones questioned Dr. Everson about the
possible harm testifying in court has on a sexually abused child. Dr. Everson said there
are studies showing testifying harms some victims. Other studies has indicated testifying
is not harmful. However, he said most clinicians make every effort to keep victims from
testifying in court because of not knowing the victim’s reaction prior to their testimony.
Representative Jones asked how the court system can prosecute an offender without the
testimony of the child. Dr. Everson said in a lot of the cases, the child does have to
testify. Rules are in place to protect the child when being cross examined. It’s important
for the DA to have a sound case when going to trail. Also, the case may be plea
bargained.
Representative Goforth said the committee members are concerned about plea
bargaining. In most cases involving plea bargaining, the perpetrator does not receive any
jail time. Dr. Everson said it is important for the perpetrator to receive a stronger
sentence. However, the abuser needs to have treatment making him/ her accountable for
their crime, which helps in reducing recidivism.
Chair recognized Representative Ray. She said that plea bargaining may not always be
negative, as it may help the victim more by preventing them from testifying in court. Dr.
Everson agreed. He said the number one factor should always be to protect the abused
child.
Representative Jones asked who should determine if the child testifies in court, the
parents or the district attorney. Dr. Everson stated he is not sure of the legal answer;
however, he feels the parents should always have input whenever their child is
concerned.
Representative Howard said the committee needs to recommend to the Department of
Education that information about preventing child sexual abuse and internet crimes
against children should be to given to students. Representative Goforth stated this
information also needs to given to the parents and requested staff to include in the final
report.
22